As part of the preparations for the contact Powys students took part in an Amateur Radio Buildathon – Credit RSGB

Wales Online carried an interview with Adam Tofarides MW0XDD, Chair of the Brecon and Radnor Amateur Radio Society. Adam gained his Foundation licence in April 2014, and progressed to Intermediate and Advanced in October and December of the same year. He said the contact was an “amazing experience”. He added: “The hall was completely packed out. There must have been around 170 people.”

“No-one could quite believe it was going to happen and we were quite stunned when we got hold of Tim on the first attempt.”

“It’s the first and last time it’s going to happen in Wales that we’ll be able to speak a British astronaut while they are at the ISS.”

“It’s an achievement to inspire these pupils and encourage them to carry on with this in the future.”